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Fremontodendron Californicum

A Tall Bush
(1 of 8) (6830 views)

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The Fremontodendron californicum grows to an average height of 10 feet (3 meters). It is native to the dryer eastern slopes of California, but is also found in parts of Arizona.


Fremontodendron californicum   •  Also fremontia and flannel flower   •  Collected from Greenhorn Mountains Kern County   •  Tilden Botanical Gardens   •  Tilden Park internal link Berkeley, California   •  (Photo posted Sunday 18 July 2010)   •  (Photo taken 13:10:12 Tuesday 18 May 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #Gardens_4862BCX
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Multiple Stems
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The Fremontodendron californicum grows from multiple stems or trunks. The lack of a single trunk differentiates it from a tree.


Fremontodendron californicum   •  Also fremontia and flannel flower   •  Collected from Greenhorn Mountains Kern County   •  Tilden Botanical Gardens   •  Tilden Park internal link Berkeley, California   •  (Photo posted Sunday 18 July 2010)   •  (Photo taken 13:10:20 Tuesday 18 May 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #Gardens_4863BCX
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A Branch
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Detail of a branch showing that it grows from a main upward stem or trunk on an upward angle. The branches are sparse so that all parts of the plant are exposed to sunlight.


Fremontodendron californicum   •  Also fremontia and flannel flower   •  Collected from Greenhorn Mountains Kern County   •  Tilden Botanical Gardens   •  Tilden Park internal link Berkeley, California   •  (Photo posted Sunday 18 July 2010)   •  (Photo taken 13:10:42 Tuesday 18 May 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #Gardens_4865BCX
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Fuzzy Leaves
(4 of 8) (4368 views)

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The leaves and flower bulbs were covered in a short fuzz or hairs. This gave the leaves an oddly soft texture that resembled the feel of flannel. Hence the plant's name.


Fremontodendron californicum   •  Also fremontia and flannel flower   •  Collected from Greenhorn Mountains Kern County   •  Tilden Botanical Gardens   •  Tilden Park internal link Berkeley, California   •  (Photo posted Sunday 18 July 2010)   •  (Photo taken 13:10:54 Tuesday 18 May 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #Gardens_4866BCX
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Lobed Leaves
(5 of 8) (4325 views)

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The leaves were lobed and, when newly formed, resembled oak leaves. The hair or fuzz was visible as tiny white dots where the light is oblique as in the lower left.


Fremontodendron californicum   •  Also fremontia and flannel flower   •  Collected from Greenhorn Mountains Kern County   •  Tilden Botanical Gardens   •  Tilden Park internal link Berkeley, California   •  (Photo posted Sunday 18 July 2010)   •  (Photo taken 13:11:38 Tuesday 18 May 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #Gardens_4869BCX
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Large Flowers
(6 of 8) (4300 views)

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The large yellow flowers were roughly 3 inches (7.5 centimeters) across. Although the mature plant can produce flowers and seeds, the seeds will only germinate when burned in a fire.


Fremontodendron californicum   •  Also fremontia and flannel flower   •  Collected from Greenhorn Mountains Kern County   •  Tilden Botanical Gardens   •  Tilden Park internal link Berkeley, California   •  (Photo posted Sunday 18 July 2010)   •  (Photo taken 13:11:52 Tuesday 18 May 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #Gardens_4872BCX
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Five Petals
(7 of 8) (4325 views)

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Each flower has five leaf-like petals that are convex and come to a point or thorn. The shrub itself is evergreen, but the flowers only bloom in the spring.


Fremontodendron californicum   •  Also fremontia and flannel flower   •  Collected from Greenhorn Mountains Kern County   •  Tilden Botanical Gardens   •  Tilden Park internal link Berkeley, California   •  (Photo posted Sunday 18 July 2010)   •  (Photo taken 13:12:00 Tuesday 18 May 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #Gardens_4873BCX
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Typical Spring Branch
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The typical branch of the Fremontodendron californicum in spring. Note the presence of leaves, flower bulbs, and flowers.


Fremontodendron californicum   •  Also fremontia and flannel flower   •  Collected from Greenhorn Mountains Kern County   •  Tilden Botanical Gardens   •  Tilden Park internal link Berkeley, California   •  (Photo posted Sunday 18 July 2010)   •  (Photo taken 13:12:10 Tuesday 18 May 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #Gardens_4874BCX
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